Undergraduate Major in
Computer Science

Undergraduate Option Rep

Prof. Chris Umans

Options Administrator

Maria Lopez mlopezcms.caltech.edu

Computation is now pervasive, wide-reaching, and unavoidable in our daily lives, and in science and engineering. The Computer Science option gives students a strong grounding in the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of computing, provides an introduction to cutting-edge research in a variety of subfields of Computer Science, and prepares them to apply computational thinking to a diversity of applications in Computer Science and beyond. Our students and faculty strive to:

understand information and computation as intrinsic components of a broad array of natural and engineered systems

tackle challenging and fundamental problems with the potential for long-term and real-world impact

develop underlying theory

nurture collaboration between traditionally separate disciplines

The undergraduate computer science option introduces students to the mathematical and engineering foundations of the discipline. It provides considerable flexibility in course selection, together with a capstone project giving an opportunity for independent work in an area of the student’s choice. A set of "core" courses give students a strong foundation in programming principles, algorithms and complexity, and computing systems. Additional advanced coursework is organized around several "tracks" in which greater depth is obtained in topic areas such as networking, distributed systems, robotics, machine learning, graphics, databases, and more. Students are provided a variety of research opportunities, both through the SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) program and the required capstone project sequence.

The department expects undergraduate majors to achieve

a thorough understanding of the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of computer science,

a depth of knowledge, and an understanding of the research frontiers, in at least one subfield of computer science,

experience in working on a significant project, typically as part of a team,

an appreciation of the scope of applications of computing in information systems and across science and engineering,

an ability to apply computational thinking to a wide variety of problems both inside and outside Computer Science,

an understanding of how to critically evaluate computer science research

an ability to effectively communicate their ideas in writing and in oral presentations.

The undergraduate degree equips students with the tools and knowledge necessary for a successful research, industrial, and entrepreneurial career in computing.

Option Requirements

CS fundamentals. CS 1; CS 2; CS 4; CS 11,

Intermediate CS. CS 21; CS 24; CS 38.

CS Project Sequence. One of the following:

An undergraduate thesis (CS 80abc) supervised by a CS faculty member.

A project in computer science, mentored by the student’s academic adviser or a sponsoring faculty member. The sequence must extend at least two quarters and total at least 18 units of CS 81abc.

Any of the following three-quarter sequences. Each of the sequences is expected to be available (nearly) yearly.

Advanced CS. A total of 72 CS units that are not applied to requirements 1 or 2 above, and that either (i) are numbered CS 114 and above or (ii) are in satisfaction of requirement 3 above. Included in these units must be at least one of CS 122, CS 124, CMS/CS 139, or CS 151.

Breadth. In addition to all above requirements, 36 units in Ma, ACM, or CS; 18 units in EAS or Ma; and 9 units not labeled PE or PA.

Units used to fulfill the Institute Core requirements do not count toward any of the option requirements. Pass/fail grading cannot be elected for courses taken to satisfy option requirements. Passing grades must be earned in a total of 486 units, including all courses used to satisfy the above requirements.

Double Majoring

Students interested in simultaneously pursuing a degree in a second option must fulfill all the requirements of the computer science option. Courses may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements in both options. However, it is required that students have at least 72 units of computer science courses numbered 80abc, 81abc, or 114 and above that are not simultaneously used for fulfilling a requirement of the second option, i.e., requirement 4 in computer science must be fulfilled using courses that are not simultaneously used for fulfilling a requirement of the second option. To enroll in the program, the student should meet and discuss his/her plans with the option representative. In general, approval is contingent on good academic performance by the student and demonstrated ability for handling the heavier course load.

Advising

Because of large enrollments, students will not usually be able to have an advisor from the CS faculty during their freshman year. Starting in the sophomore year CS students will be assigned a faculty advisor whom they should meet with regularly, typically once per quarter. Students seeking a CS advisor should contact the undergraduate option secretary at academicscms.caltech.edu.

Research

There are many opportunities for undergraduate research in the computer science field, both at Caltech and outside of Caltech. There are a wide variety of research opportunities in computing across campus and at JPL, ranging from pervasive computing using wireless devices, to building and exploiting novel graphics devices, to algorithms, networking, molecular computing, or to using computing to search for quasars. In particular, upper-class students can pursue an Undergraduate Thesis (CS 80), Undergraduate Projects (CS 81), or Undergraduate Projects (CS 90), carried out under the supervision of a member of the computer science faculty (or other faculty as approved by the computer science undergraduate option representative). Campus-wide, there is also a SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) program, please visit the SURF website for more information. The application deadline is typically in February. Students should begin talking with professors at least two months before the deadline. Outside of Caltech, there are also excellent oportunities for summer undergraduate research in computer science through NSF sponsored REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates), please visit the REU website for more information.

Typical Course Schedule

The first year for a CS major is generally spent on satisfying most of the core requirements, but CS 1, CS 2, and/or CS 4 may be taken as well. After that, a typical course schedule looks as follows:

Units per term

Second Year

1st

2nd

3rd

Ma 2/3

Sophomore Mathematics

9

9

-

CS 1

Intro. to Computer Programming1

9

-

-

CS 2

Intro. to Programming Methods1

-

9

-

CS 4

Fundamentals of Computer Program.

-

9

-

Ma/CS 6 a

Intro. to Discrete Math

9

-

-

CS 21

Decidability and Tractability

-

9

-

CS 24

Intro. to Computing Systems

-

-

9

CS 38

Introduction to Algorithms

-

-

9

Scientific Fundamentals

9

9

-

HSS Electives

9

-

9

Other Electives

-

-

9

45

45

36

Third Year

1st

2nd

3rd

CS Courses

9

9

9

CS Project

9

9

9

HSS Electives

9

9

9

E 10

Technical Seminar Presentations

-

-

3

EAS/Ma Courses

9

9

9

Other Electives

9

9

-

45

45

39

Fourth Year

1st

2nd

3rd

CS Courses

9

-

-

HSS Electives

9

18

9

EAS/Ma Courses (or CS 80 Undergraduate Thesis)

9

9

9

Other Electives

18

9

18

45

36

36

1Commonly taken during the freshman year.

Study Tracks

We have collected here, for the benefit of Computer Science students and their advisors, various recommended study tracks in a few areas: